Morning review: Historic flooding leads to state of emergency in Kent County

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Kent County officials declared a state of emergency in the county on Friday, April 19, as the worst flooding in more than a century hit the area.

County Board Chairman Dan Koorndyk signed the Declaration for a Local State of Emergency, which will allow the county to receive damage assessment resources from the state. It also is the first step needed to seek federal emergency assistance.

The flooding crest of the Grand River is expected to be two days out, and hydrologists predict the water will not recede below flood stage until the middle of next week, county officials said.

Acting county health officer Adam London urged residents to avoid contact with flood waters. Sewage overflows have been reported in Grand Rapids, Wyoming and Grandville as well as a number of treatment plants upstream, he said.